Newsradio 1020 KDKA Editorial: Wandering Wander
The last time Pittsburgh voters elected a Republican mayor was in the 1930's. The assumption these days? Pittsburgh's mayoral race is decided in the Democratic primary. A contested Republican primary would be unusual –And some years the GOP doesn't even run a mayoral candidate. This year Josh Wander is running against Democrat Bill Peduto – And Independent Les Ludwig. It was always going to be a lopsided race. Peduto is a city councilman with both campaign cash and a campaign staff. Wander and Ludwig have neither. But now it's just getting weird. Josh Wander is running his campaign – such as it is – from another continent. He sold his Squirrel Hill home – and is currently working in Israel. He says he could be in Kenya next. Wander says it's what he does – he's a private security consultant. He's renting a home in Squirrel Hill to keep his residency – And he insists he'll be back for his four debates with Peduto. While it might sound intriguing to run a campaign via email and Twitter – Pittsburgh has been drifting – leaderless – since March. Despite the novelty of Pittsburgh's first intercontinental campaign for mayor – November – and January – really cannot come quickly enough.